Citrus indica
Five spherical orange fruits, and one sliced open to show the citrus-like interior. A caption reads "Indian Wild Orange (Citrus indica Tanaka)"
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Species:
C. indica
Binomial name
Citrus indica
Yu.Tanaka[1][2]

Citrus indica is a species of hybrid Citrus known by the common name Indian wild orange.[3][4]

It is native to South Asia.

Taxonomy

Main article: Citrus taxonomy

This wild orange plant was originally characterized as one of the likely ancestors of today's cultivated citrus fruits, if not the main one.[4] It was considered to be the most "primitive" citrus.[5] However, genomic analysis has revealed it to be a citrus hybrid, with maternal citron ancestry and also mandarin orange and unspecified papeda contributions.[6] It can be used as a citrus rootstock for cultivated citrus.[5]

Recent searches of the plant's reported home range confirmed its presence only in Meghalaya, where it grows in the Garo Hills.[4]

Uses

This species is used for medicinal and spiritual purposes by the Garo people. The fruit is used to treat jaundice and stomach conditions in humans and animals, and it was used to treat smallpox. It is also used for spiritual purposes.

Conservation status

This plant is considered to be an endangered species.[4] Threats to the species have included habitat destruction caused by slash-and-burn (jhum) activity.[5] This plant requires a specific microclimate,[4] and appropriate habitat is limited. The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is an important site for the species, and its presence inspired the creation of the National Citrus Gene Sanctuary within the reserve.[7]

References

  1. ^ The Plant List (2010). "Citrus indica". Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  2. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden. "Citrus indica Yu. Tanaka". Retrieved 2020-03-30.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Citrus indica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e Malik, S. K., R. Chaudhury, O. P. Dhariwal and R. K. Kalia. (2006). Collection and characterization of Citrus indica Tanaka and C. macroptera Montr.: wild endangered species of northeastern India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 53 1485-93.
  5. ^ a b c Laskar, M. A., M. Hynniewta and C.S. Rao. (2009). In vitro propagation of Citrus indica Tanaka — An endangered progenitor species. Indian Journal of Biotechnology 8 311-16.
  6. ^ Garcia-Lor, Andres; Luro, François; Ollitrault, Patrick; Navarro, Luis (2015). "Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of mandarin germplasm by nuclear, chloroplastic and mitochondrial markers" (PDF). Tree Genetics & Genomes. 11 (6): e123. doi:10.1007/s11295-015-0951-1. S2CID 16576388.
  7. ^ Borah, A. Local citrus goes global. Down to Earth January 31, 2009.
Categories